TV's Scene Stealers Of 2019

They may not have been the stars of the show, but these 25 TV characters stole every scene in which they appeared this year. Scroll through our gallery below to see the alter egos from Succession, Batwoman, Animal Kingdom and more series that captured our attention in 2019.

Trip, Cooper and Franklin, American Housewife

There's only one thing better than an episode of the ABC sitcom that includes Taylor's dumb-puppy boyfriend, Oliver's snobbish-but-devoted bestie or Anna-Kat's adorably odd beau, and that's the rare installment that includes all three of them! The trio never fails to make an outing goofier and sweeter in equal proportion.

Frankie, Animal Kingdom

Two seasons in, Dichen Lachman's unpredictable bad girl remains an irresistible enigma. On one hand, she's a master manipulator whose cunning has secured her a stake in the game. On the other, she's not yet a queenpin but a wannabe whose shortcomings may make her more dangerous than her strengths.

Demi Burnett, Bachelor in Paradise

Most of the time, we can't distinguish one Bachelor contestant from the next. (Half of them are named Lauren, anyway.) But Demi Burnett tore through the ABC reality franchise like a tornado, refusing to ever be anything but herself. Unapologetically candid and refreshingly funny, Burnett made the often mind-numbing "drama" of Bachelor in Paradise into something legitimately entertaining.

NoHo Hank, Barry

Truly the cuddliest Chechen gangster you'll ever meet, Hank — as hilariously played by Anthony Carrigan — seriously stepped up his game in Season 2, winning us over with an impossibly sunny optimism and a barrage of weird one-liners. Yep, we'd totally watch a NoHo Hank spinoff. Get to work, HBO.

Alice, Batwoman

Much like (almost) every live-action Joker, Rachel Skarsten has conveyed a real joie de vivre to the Big Bad's making of mayhem and misery. And yet Alice's rare moments of introspection leave us just as rapt.

Lola, Big Mouth

Netflix hasn't commissioned a Lola-centric Big Mouth spinoff just yet, but we'd fully support the idea. Voiced by series star Nick Kroll, the obnoxious preteen is a total riot, armed with anecdotes about her home life that are so strange, we're not sure if we should be laughing or calling Social Services.

Lorraine Zimmer, Designated Survivor

We never knew we needed Julie White in the political drama's third (and final) season, but Lorraine proved to be an absolute hoot, a potty-mouthed truth teller if there ever was one!

Lila, Lexis, Lynn and Laura, Evil

Whether they're thundering downstairs to greet their mom or getting roped into playing online games with scary otherworldly beings, Lynn, Lila, Lexis and Laura always provide a much-needed breath of normality in the creepy CBS drama. Plus: Who doesn't love looking at their sweet (if sometimes loud and demanding) little faces?

Sarah, Fear the Walking Dead

Though Season 5 of the Walking Dead spinoff was arguably "worse than a tequila hangover," as Mo Collins' character would've put it, the lovable trucker often made it bearable, whether by letting fly a zinger that only she could sell or bringing to even the smallest scene a depth of uncommon subtlety.

Miss Jenn, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

Kate Reinders is a total delight as High School Musical's resident drama teacher, whose relentless optimism (and frequent showboating) makes this sunny series even more fun to watch. As the East High students recently put it, Miss Jenn stands for truth, justice and songs in their key — and what more could you ask for, really?

Jin, Magnum P.I.

Provided that the CBS series continues to use him in measured doses, Bobby Lee's recently introduced flim-flam man brings just the right level of levity. 

Santamonica, mixed-ish

Bow and Johan's little sister is sassy, savvy and smart far beyond her years, and her sarcastic remarks about her family's hippie lifestyle are among the ABC comedy's funniest zingers. (Related kudos go to portrayer Mykal-Michelle Harris, whose comedic timing is absolute gold.)

Lily, Modern Family

As Cam and Mitchell have gone ever further over the top, their tween daughter has become the snarktastic voice of the audience, rolling her eyes along with us even as she perfects her deadpan delivery to the point that her dads can't tell whether any given remark is "the sass we love or the backtalk we hate."

Katherine Casillas, NCIS: Los Angeles

Every time that Moon Bloodgood's stunning insurance broker pops up, we can expect sass, smarts, savvy and, yes, an undeniable spark with Sam.

Dr. Tanaka, Prodigal Son

It's always fun to watch Prodigal Son's Malcolm work a new case, because it means he'll interact with the lovably awkward Edrisa, played to comedic perfection by Keiko Agena. Edrisa's obvious crush on Malcolm makes us laugh every time, but Agena also brings a wide-eyed wonder to the medical examiner as she delights in even the grisliest crime scenes.

Gwart, Silicon Valley

The newbie programmer did not engage in a single conversation, alter her expression or utter a syllable during her entire Season 6 arc, but between her expressive eyes and "boyfriend" Jared's hilarious telepathic-ish riffs, the character felt fully formed and relatable.

The Child aka 'Baby Yoda,' The Mandalorian

What is left to be said, really?

Streeter, The Other Two

Somehow, ChaseDreams' career has stayed afloat, even with the hapless goofball Streeter as his manager — and we hope Ken Marino's character stays employed on the Comedy Central series for years to come. Awkward and witless, yet committed as ever to his tween client, Streeter has been completely fascinating from his very first scene.

Judy, The Righteous Gemstones

Wondering why we put the Gemstone sibling on our list this year? Here's your answer.

Richard Splett, Veep

Richard has always been a highlight of the HBO political satire, bumbling his way through every D.C. job he holds. But Veep's final season was an especially great showcase for Sam Richardson's inept alter ego, who had us giggling all the way through his surprise debut as POTUS.

Lady Trieu, Watchmen

Sure, she was a narcissistic megalomaniac bent on destroying a literal god, but damned if we could take our eyes off her anytime the billionaire — oops, rather, trillionaire — entered a scene.

Colin, What We Do in the Shadows

How ironic is it that a deadly bore manages to liven things up with his tedious, monotone orations? Mark Proksch's performance sucked us right in. 

Cousin Greg, Succession

Sorry, we can't help but giggle just looking at this guy's clueless mug. In a family swimming with vicious sharks, Greg was a hapless minnow, stumbling around awkwardly and somehow surviving all of the Roys' cutthroat business maneuvers. Nicholas Braun is a national treasure, and must be protected at all costs. If it is to be said, so it be, so it is.

Dusty, The Politician

Jessica Lange chewed so much scenery as this demented grandma in Ryan Murphy's Netflix comedy, she must still have splinters in her teeth... and we loved every bit of it. Dusty was truly wicked — she faked a cancer diagnosis for granddaughter Infinity just to get free stuff — but Lange had so much fun in the role, we couldn't even bring ourselves to hate her.

Eric Effiong, Sex Education

Whether he's leading an oral sex demonstration at a high school party, or showing up to the dance in a towering head wrap and gold stilettos, Otis Milburn's fearless BFF (played by relative newcomer Ncuti Gatwa) dazzles whenever he's on our screen.